“I’m glad you decided to come out with us tonight, Peyton.It’s been far too long since we spent time away from the compound,” Kimber says, reaching out from across the table to hold Peyton’s hand gently in hers.
“I didn’t really get a choice in the matter,” she responds, laughter filling her voice.
Kimber has a way about her that brings a lightness to those around her no matter what they’re going through.This is why I wanted Peyton to come out tonight because she needs a change of pace and Kimber is the person to help her the most.She’ll make sure Peyton forgets to be afraid for a short while.
“Can I take your order?”a waitress asks, walking up to our table.
Everyone here knows not to flirt with us for any reason.There are a few who have been known to attempt to try to get with us while here to enjoy a meal.Those women are fired quickly and don’t ever get the chance to work for one of our companies again.Especially if they do it in front of our women.We don’t stand for that shit and no one will ever make our women feel uncomfortable or as if they have to fight to remain at our side.
After we all order our meals, the four of us settle into conversation, avoiding the one topic we all know about.The kids talk and play together, the boys watching over Caydence as she sits in her high chair at the end of the table next to them.That’s the only reason we’ve allowed the boys to sit on the outside of the booth.Omen and Knuckles are at the table right behind them so no one will get close to our kids.The waitress is the only one allowed near our table.
“Peyton, how do you like workin’ from home?”Brick asks her during a lull in our conversation.
“I love it.Not only do I get to spend time with my kids and don’t have to worry about them, but I don’t have the added stress of the office to deal with.The girls in my office are bitches and I was getting tired of dealing with their shit,” she answers honestly because it’s a conversation the two of us have had since she started working in the home office.“Not to mention I essentially get to make my own hours.I still have to do things during the day like I normally would, but I can work on the computer stuff later in the day if I want to and don’t have to get it all done by a certain time.As long as it’s all turned in on time, my boss is happy.”
“Good.And you get to spend time with your dad almost every day.That has to add to the good part of workin’ from home,” Brick comments before taking a sip of the water in front of him.
We spend the rest of our meal laughing and enjoying our conversation.Peyton laughs and is freer than I’ve seen her lately.It’s a refreshing change and one I’m glad I get to witness.For the hour we spend out, she doesn’t allow herself to think of the bullshit waiting for us when we get back home.Her stalker doesn’t get even a second of her precious time.It takes a weight from my shoulders and I’m glad we’re all able to let loose and have a good time out without incident.
The other great part is that our kids are getting along better than we thought they would.Brock is a few years older than Cedric and watches over him.I can see them becoming the best of friends just like Brick and me.Kassidee and Caydence are closer in age and we watch on as they exchange their food back and forth while talking baby talk together.Like their older brothers, I see these two becoming the best of friends.They’ll be friends with the other kids in the club, but I foresee our children growing closer than siblings.This is what I want for our future and I can’t be happier with how life is turning out.
Chapter Twelve
Peyton
MATT WANTS ME to getout of the house more.I don’t know if I’m ready to get out and live my life the way I used to knowing some asshole is out there just waiting for me to poke my head out of the hole so to speak.Every single day I’m terrified something else is going to happen and it’s only going to get worse than the time before.What makes it even worse is the fact that I have a strong feeling all of this is tied to Clark.The things on my porch could only be left by him.There’s no reason I’d become my own stalker.That only leaves one person and I’m not the only one who believes this.My family understands where I’m coming from and know this is the truth of the situation.They sure as hell wouldn’t want to scare the fuck out of me by leaving pictures and everything else that’s been left since this started.
Marie has the kids as normal today.She takes them so I can work and get things done around the house.If she’s busy and has to go into work, Kimber watches the kids for me.My parents and sister have helped out with them too.Everyone has truly stepped up to help with the kids while I work from the home office and try to get things done each and every day so Matt has less to do when he gets home from work.He works hard and I know this situation is taking a toll on him as it is on me and those closest to us.If something needs to be done when he walks through the front door, Matt does it without hesitation and I’m done letting this situation make me hide from the world.It’s time to suck it up and become the strong woman I know I am.A woman who can step outside and not break down knowing something might happen.I want Matt, my kids, and everyone else to be proud of me and not worry every second of the day if I’m okay or not.
Today, I’ve finished working and turned everything in to my boss.I called and talked to her about everything and she’s very happy with the work I’ve been doing and how fast I’m getting the work turned in to her.Honestly, she wasn’t sure if I’d actually be able to work from home with the kids and everything going on and be as productive as if I were in the office.Thankfully, I’ve been able to prove her wrong and I get more done now than ever before.
Since I’m done with work and the housework is just about done, I’m going to head to the store.We need groceries and a few other things because it’s been a while since the Prospects have gone shopping for us.That’s the one thing Matt doesn’t do.He refuses to go shopping on his own so he sends the Prospects with a list when we need things.I can’t really blame him.Out of all the errands I do, grocery shopping is the one thing I hate the most.The crowd of the store, waiting in line to check out, carrying everything to the house, putting it all away.Everything about it is horrendous.I really do need to get it done though.
“Dad, we’re getting out of the house today.I need groceries and don’t want Matt to once again send the Prospects out to get them for us.You all want me out of the house more often so we’re gonna do this today.I also want to stop and get some money from the bank while I’m away from the compound,” I tell my dad, walking in the living room where he’s watching some movie.
“If that’s what you wanna do, let’s get it taken care of,” he says, a large smile on his face as he turns to grab the remote to turn the TV off.“Make sure you message Matt to let him know what you’re doing.He wants to know when you leave the house.”
